In the last month, the world as we know it has changed. Coronavirus has turned the world upside down. It has affected workplaces and industries across all sectors in the UK and around the world.
Businesses across the country are now needing to adapt to survive the pandemic and safeguard themselves, their employees and their customers against a possible second wave of COVID-19 infections once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Essential customer-facing services such as pharmacies and supermarkets have taken steps to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 such as enforcing social distancing rules by implementing a one in and one out policy, placing 2m floor markers and creating designated planned routes for customers to navigate. However, the open-plan environments which we have seen evolve as a trend over the past few years may begin to reverse.
UK sickness days
In 2018, it was reported that sales and customer service occupations had on average 2.6 days sick days off work a year, that doesn’t seem a lot but when we think about how many people are employed in the capacity of sales and customer service across the country, the number becomes significant. For example, Asda employs 130,000 people in 265 shops, meaning on average Asda’s staff take around 338,000 sick days annually. Across the UK, sick leave costs companies an estimated £11 billion every year through 166 million lost working days. Although illnesses may not have been caused by viruses and bacteria from others, there’s no harm introducing measures to mitigate against the possibility.
Thinking about the future
There are many lessons we can learn from Coronavirus. We must learn, adapt and plan for the future. Several supermarkets have begun to install protective screens to safeguard people at checkouts and we’re seeing GP surgeries begin to replace open plan receptions with screens.
However, if we’re thinking of a longer-term solution to protect people, glass divider screens are a much better option. This blog looks at reasons why stores should consider using glass to protect employees and the public, rather than installing plastic ones for a cheaper, quick fix.
- Durability
Glass can easily last for hundreds of years in good condition. It is a lot more resistant to scratches than comparable plastics. Glass is more resistant to environmental degradation from sunlight and various chemicals in the environment. If the plastic screen does in time become discoloured and full of scratches the employee and customer will struggle to see each other. This can be troubling for anyone hard of sight or hearing. Plastic also becomes brittle over time, this means it won’t take long before the plastic needs replacing, which isn’t great for the environment either.
- Hygiene
Glass is much more hygienic than plastic. Plastic has a soft surface and is susceptible to scratches, which, therefore, allows for the ingress and breeding of dirt and bacteria – this could potentially even increase the risk of catching an illness. Glass has a nonporous surface, so it doesn’t absorb bacteria and germs like plastic, meaning it is much cleaner.
- Environment
There are several reasons why glass is more sustainable than plastic. Firstly, glass is 100% recyclable meaning that each time glass is recycled, the resulting product does not lose quality. Although some plastics can be recycled, it is often degraded throughout each cycle meaning it often ends up in landfill or even worse, in our oceans.
Plastic waste is the most widely known form of pollution that affects the environment. Plastic is a synthetic material and can take forever to decompose on its own. It also often releases toxic chemicals into the air when it’s produced, whereas glass does not.
- Cost-efficient
Glass is typically more expensive than plastic, however, it’s pretty much a one-time cost. It can save you money in the long run as it’s far more durable and will last for many more years.
Coronavirus has certainly changed the world. Businesses, organisations and public services across the UK are trying to navigate the effects of the virus. However bleak the situation seems we must learn from it and adapt to ensure we safeguard ourselves in the future.
Thinking and planning for longer-term solutions should be on everyone’s agenda. Implementing protective glass screens is certainly something that should be considered to customer-facing services and the public throughout these turbulent times and in the future.
You may also be interested in reading our blog on our protective glass screens.
To discuss how Specialist Glass Products can help your business, contact us today.
